The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #135866   Message #3099922
Posted By: John on the Sunset Coast
21-Feb-11 - 04:00 PM
Thread Name: BS: New Tax Structure Idea
Subject: RE: BS: New Tax Structure Idea
I don't know, Saul, but that sounds more than a little cumbersome to me. I was taking you very seriously until this: "Environmental Protection, including protection of endangered species and cleaning up after "corporate people who evaded jailtime"" But I will pretend you are serious.

How often would we make these choices? Could they be changed as our individual priorities change?
You're dealing with a hundred-million-plus tax returns each year. In my household we file jointly, but Mrs. Sunset Coast and I have different views on what the Feds should do for the polity. Do we have to make a joint decision, or can we each apportion a share.
Also, can the government be trusted to use the monies as we wish? We know they comingle funds, borrowing from Peter to pay Paul, and from Alice to pay Peter...maybe.
And are you speaking of the Federal Government, State Government, Local Government, some combination or all?
Personally, I think the Feds should get out of almost everything except Military, Diplomacy, and some Infrastructure programs which affect interstate problems...roads, rivers, and air traffic for example.
Virtually all the rest should be returned to the states and to the people to determine.
Federal programs which should be eliminated should be phased out in an orderly manner which allows the states and localities to phase in their versions of the programs as approved by their citizenry.